Who presses the elevator button after someone else: dominance/deference, sex, and authority figure determinants.

Abstract

The present study analyzed personality and situational determinants of elevator button-pressing following a press by another person. 88 undergraduates participated to test the hypotheses: (a) males are more likely than females to engage in redundant button-pressing, (b) persons who score high on the Dominance subscale of the EPPS are more likely to engage in redundant pressing than persons who score high on the Deference subscale, and (c) the presence of an authority figure (Security Policeman) decreases the likelihood of redundant pressing more than the presence of a male peer. All three hypotheses were confirmed. The results were discussed in terms of socialization of sex roles, the effect of personality traits on behavior, and the respect commanded by an authoritative figure.